Influence of Temperature and Humidity Changes on Hygroscopically Exothermic Effects of Highly Hygroscopic Rayon Nonwoven Fabrics with Thermal Storage Microcapsule Adhesion

Abstract

  To increase the persistence of the exothermic state associated with the moisture absorption of highly hygroscopic rayon fibers, it has been attempted to improve persistence by adhering thermal storage microcapsules to fibers. In this study, for various usage environments, the effects of maintaining the exothermic state were investigated under various atmospheric conditions of temperature and moisture.

  The results showed that as the ambient temperature decreased, the exothermic state associated with moisture absorption lasted for a longer time. Similarly, after investigating the influence of changes in the ambient humidity on hygrothermal behavior, it was found that the exothermic peak tended to be higher when moisture was absorbed from the lower humidity state. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the exothermic state could be maintained for a long time over a wide range of ambient temperature and humidity conditions when the adhesion of the fibers with thermal storage microcapsules was realized. These results indicate that the adhesion of thermal storage microcapsules to hygroscopically exothermic fibers is effective for winters in Japan, when both the temperature and humidity are low.